Draft
Nuggets 2016: Entry #3
The Cowboys Salary Cap Part II
With just $9.8 million dollars free under the cap and many holes to
plug, the Cowboys will likely make some moves with current players under
contract. For some, that might mean take a pay cut or get released while others
might need to take more bonus money to reduce their cap number. Here’s a look
at a few of the candidates for both:
Restructure or
Release:
-
Brandon Carr, CB, Age 29
o
2016 Cap Figure: $13.8 million
o
Savings if released: $9.1 million
The biggest issue with releasing
Brandon Carr is having someone to replace him. While he is not really living up
to the deal he signed in free agency, he has been a very serviceable player at
corner. If he plays hardball (as he did last year) he might just find himself
cut. But maybe the Cowboys could find a way to rework the deal. Status: Plan
B if he reworks the deal
-
Doug Free, RT, Age 32
o
2016 Cap Figure: $5.5 million
o
Savings if released: $4 million
Doug Free had a pretty solid 2015
(all things considered) but is 32 years old. Word is the Cowboys probably wish
to keep Martin and Collins at guard so I expect Free to be back. Though perhaps
for only 1 more year until Chaz Green gets up to speed. Status: Days are
numbered
-
Barry Church, S, Age 27
o
2016 Cap Figure: $3.25 million
o
Savings if released: $2.75 million
This one might come as a surprise
for many Cowboys fans, but let’s look at the reality. Church’s coverage skills
declined as the 2015 year went on, both he and Wilcox are probably best suited
to play “in the box” and if Byron Jones’s best position is deemed to be FS,
there is a redundancy. I would be surprised if Church gets released but I could
also understand it. Status: Unlikely but possible
Restructure for
Space:
-
Tony Romo, QB, Age 35
o
2016 Salary Cap Figure: $20.8 million (13.5% of
total cap)
o
Possible Savings: $11.3 million
On paper, this seems like a
no-brainer. Getting an extra 11 million under the cap is great. However,
restructuring the deal means pushing more of his base salary into bonus money, thereby
delaying the impact on the contract to later seasons. With his age and health
increasingly becoming an issue, it might be best to take the hit in 2016 and
not hamstring your future. Status: Take your medicine in 2016
-
Tyron Smith, LT, Age 25
o
2016 Salary Cap Figure: $14 million
o
Possible Savings: $10.1 million
I think this deal is already in the
works. Guarantee your 25 year old tackle his money and free up money now, as
there are little concerns Tyron will not see the end on this deal. Status:
Write the check
-
Dez Bryant, WR, Age 27
o
2016 Salary Cap Figure: $13 million
o
Possible Savings: $6.2 million
This deal also makes sense, unless
the foot injury is worse than expected or the offseason doesn’t go well off the
field for Dez. But I would expect this deal to on the table in the spring. Status:
Very likley
-
Tyrone Crawford, DT, Age 26
o
2016 Salary Cap Figure: $8.75 million
o
Possible Savings: $4.75 million
Much like the Tyron Smith deal,
this makes a lot of financial sense. However, because of his 2015 disappointing
season (due to injury mostly) the Cowboys might be a touch hesitant to
guarantee him more money. But in the end I think it gets done. Status: Yes
but not until needed
-
Orlando Scandrick, CB, Age 28
o
2016 Salary Cap Figure: $7.78 million
o
Possible Savings: $5.2 million
Just like with Crawford, it makes
sense if Scandrick returns to form and is healthy. Status: When/If needed
-
Sean Lee, LB, Age 29
o
2016 Salary Cap Figure: #5.95 million
o
Possible Savings: $2.6 million
This seems like a long shot. With
Lee seemingly hurt every year, I don’t see it making sense to restructure
unless he is willing to take less in bonus money. Status: Too risky
Total Possible Salary Cap Money: $41.95 million
If the Cowboys release Carr and
restructure Smith, Dez, Scandrick and Crawford, they could easily free up
enough money to be players in free agency.
Coming up next time: Cowboys Needs Position by Position
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